The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has criticized the Nigerian government for allegedly intimidating the labour movement by summoning Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), for questioning. Ajaero was invited by the police on Monday over allegations including terrorism financing, treasonable felony, and cybercrime.
Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, Osifo challenged the authorities to clearly state the specific offences Ajaero is accused of. He emphasized that any actions taken by Ajaero are done on behalf of the NLC members and accused the government of attempting to silence the labour movement.
“Our lawyer, Femi Falana, has responded, asking the government to be transparent about these allegations. Nigerians deserve to know what’s really going on,” Osifo stated. He also mentioned that the TUC would continue to advocate for the government to make the right decisions, warning that the union might consider shutting down the oil and gas industry to push for refinery operations.
On the issue of recurring fuel queues across the country, Osifo, who also leads the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), pointed out that logistical challenges are to blame. He warned that while the current scarcity might be resolved soon, the problem could resurface unless systemic issues like pipeline repairs and the establishment of strategic reserves are addressed.
“Even if the queues disappear in a week, we can’t guarantee they won’t return in a month. Until we fix the logistics, these challenges will keep coming back,” Osifo concluded.
